AROUND THE WORLD
EUROPEAN YOUTH ORGANISATIONS SCHOOL
At the end of March leaders of the youth organisations in solidarity with the Fourth International in Europe came together for a week-long educational school.
Some forty delegates represented the Jeune Garde Socialiste from Belgium, the Jeunesse Communiste Revolutionnaire in France, Revolution Youth from Britain, the group Rebel in Holland, the Young Socialists from Sweden, the Youth Socialist League of Denmark, and the Swiss Jeunesses Socialistes Revolutionnaires, who came from their founding conference the previous week (see IV No 27). There were also representatives from youth groups organised around the newspapers Rivoluzione in Italy; Roter Maulwurf in West Germany; Barricada in the Spanish state, whose representatives came from Euzkadi, Andalusia, Catalonia, and Madrid; and participants from Austria.
The only comrades unable to attend were those from Portugal, Norway, and Luxemburg.
The youth organisations and groups in general have a higher proportion of women among their membership than the sections of the Fourth International themselves, generally between 35 and 40 per cent (for Italy). With the exception of France, where most of the members are students, all the other organisations have a majority of young workers, young people in technical education, or school students.
Among the participants at the school 33 per cent were women. The ages ranged from 16 to 26 years old - the average age being 21.
The school itself was divided up into two parts. One part took up general questions such as the antibureaucratic struggle in the Eastern European coun tries; revolution in the countries dependent on imperialism; austerity and militarisation in Europe; and the oppression of women. The second part concentrated on discussions and exchange of experience on the question of building youth organisations, work amongst young workers, the importance of political campaigns, relations with the sections of the Fourth International, press and propaganda...Not to mention the informal or musical sessions.
Most of the organisations, except in France, Sweden, and Austria, were principally involved in the struggle against the deployment of nuclear missiles, and against NATO bases. Important initiatives have also been taken on the questions of unemployment and job training for young people, the fight against racism, or in organising among soldiers Continued from page 28 of the solidaricy committees are involved in this.
The second axis of extension solidarity is through the involvement of the solidarity committees in anti-war and anti-missile mobilisations.
Without any attempt being made to force the participants in a sectarian way to make the connection between this issue and Central America, the involvement of the solidarity committees in unified and democratic mobilisations against the deployment of nuclear weapons and against NATO bases in itself very concretely raises the question of the imperialist aggression going on in Central America at this very moment.
It should be pointed out that the solidarity movement has not been able to make the best use of the World Front in Solidarity with Salvador that was formed last year in Mexico. Already affiliated to this body are several hundred political, trade-union, and humanitarian organisations. Most committees are affiliated the front, but do not see how to use it other than in a symbolic fashion.
Thus, the report of the Fifth Assembly of the European Committees which was held in Geneva in February considered that, with the exception of the Netherlands, "There has not been a real campaign for affiliations to the World Front.' This is even more of a pity as the existence of the Front, to which the World Federation of Trade Unions and some national federations like the UGT in Spain are already affiliated, could offer a fram-
(mainly in France and Holland). All the youth organisations are active in solidarity with the revolution in Central America.
This first such gathering ended in enthusiasm to extend the experience. A second such school will be held towards the end of the year. This will enable bigger and bolder initiatives to be planned, on a European scale, gatherings, camps, ete. The youth organisations will coordinate their efforts and distribute a joint appeal at the time of the demonstrations against war and missiles planned for the autumn. Finally, through their student members, they will take part in the campaign for the reopening of the University of San Salvador. work for a systematic campaign to get affiliation of trade unions at all levels and directly involve the trade-union movement in solidarity activity.
### CONSISTENT SOLIDARITY
Solidarity initiatives are presently being organised in a number of European
"Information Days" place in France at the end of March. Three days of action for Salvador have been organised in Switzerland. portant conference of the Salvador solidarity movement, supported by numerous trade unions and Labour Party MPs, will take place in Britain at the end of
As regards internationally co-ordinated campaigns and activities, the World Front have already called for October 10 to be a day of action. At the European level a meeting of the European Russell Tribunal Against Intervention is planned for Rome in the autumn. This could be prepared by national confereces in each country, and followed by a tour to report
A specific campaign is being made for the reopening of the University of San Salvador. This could be taken up through specific initiatives among university students, such as petitions, information meetings, etc., for this elementary democratic demand.
Finally, the mass mobilisations against nuclear weapons planned for this autumn in most European countries will also provide an opportunity for the Central America solidarity movement to make its own intervention.
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